This is Ep. #1 of an informal mailbag series of mini-episodes prepped for Soul Sides and Heat Rocks fans. In this one, Oliver Wang tackles a pair of questions: 1) what were some of my favorite artists from when I was in college and 2) What's an example of an artist/album from a genre that Heat Rocks typically does *not* into? Thanks to Eric Peterson for the questions!

The Sidebar returns to fill the social distancing void. I'm joined by Michael Barnes of the Melting Pot blog to talk about a special version of Sly and the Family Stone's 1974 LP, "Small Talk" that Michael came upon years ago. Much record nerdery ensues.

We look at one of the darkest soul songs ever recorded, "Dead," arranged and co-written by Moses Dillard and produced by Fort Worth TX's Major Bill Smith who could commission over a dozen different versions of the song on his various imprints. David Haffner of the record store, Friends of Sound, joins to share details about the song's curious history

In this episode, we revisit the 2005 song (and 2015 single), "1 Thing," originally recorded by Amerie but remixed by Siik.

A new personal podcast series from Oliver Wang of Soul Sides/Heat Rocks, Single Servings tells the stories behind single songs. For this launch episode, we dig into "Someone to Treat Me," the 1969 R&B single by New York girl ground The De Vons. Featured on here: De Vons lead singer, Jimmie Boone Amos!

A return to hip-hop but with a Cali focus. Featuring songs by: Droop Capone, 7A3, MC Red, The Poetess and more.

Firme rola alert! It's the slow jam/sweet soul episode of the Record Wheel with music from the likes of: Lee Williams and the Cymbals, The Exceptionals, The Cruisers, Little Joe and the Latinaires, the Natural Four and more.

We head to the discotheque with a selection of tracks from the '70s through early '80s including songs by Charanga 76, Manzel, Wild Sugar and B&G Rhythm. Platform shoes not required.

After being gone for a few weeks, the Record Wheel returns with an XL sized episode includes songs brought home from New Orleans and a random assortment of other goodies. Artists include the Electric Prunes, Lonnie Russ, the Vibrations, the Southern University Stage Band, Demon Fuzz, Pratt & Moody, Ruly Garcia and the late, great Clyde Stubblefield.

O-Dub's off to NOLA this week so here's a quick pick-six of Crescent City songs.